Congratulations to Illinois REALTORS® Neeley Erickson, who was elected as Chair of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Government Affairs Directors (GAD) Advisory Group July 24 at NAR’s GAD Institute in Charleston, South Carolina.

Erickson has been a local GAD for Illinois REALTORS® since 2018, advocating for policies that safeguard private property rights and promote housing affordability. She works directly with the NorthWest Illinois Alliance of REALTORS® and the Heartland REALTOR® Organization in northern Illinois.

In her national role, she will help influence REALTOR® advocacy priorities, GAD strategies, and programming. Erickson served as vice chair in 2024.

“We can make a real difference in housing policy and community growth,” she said. “One of the goals of advocacy is to push for public policies that build stronger communities and create a real estate industry where our members can thrive.

Erickson said Illinois has been a leader in local advocacy efforts and the GAD Institute and the Advisory Group allows GADs from around the country to share stories and strategies about how to successfully tackle some of today’s housing policy challenges.

Several other members of the Illinois REALTORS® Governmental Affairs team served as panelists during the conference, including Erickson. Illinois REALTORS® Director of Local Advocacy Tom Benedetto facilitated a discussion on Artificial Intelligence in Advocacy and Local GADs Jeff Merrinette and Ron Deedrick served as panelists on a session about choosing and supporting REALTOR® Champions.